Chaim Bloom said that Xander Bogaerts was a top priority for the Red Sox heading into last offseason.
However, the longtime Boston shortstop is now a member of the San Diego Padres after signing an 11-year, $280 million contract in early December.
Bogaerts joined WEEI’s Rob Bradford for an exclusive interview on “Baseball Isn’t Boring” where he shared his thoughts on being a “top priority” and if the Red Sox’ final offer would’ve enticed him to stay last spring training.
“Saying it and showing it I think it’s two different stuff, and obviously they have a little different way of showing it,” Bogaerts said (4:40 in player above). “I didn’t get my hopes up. I remember in spring training, Scott approached me about an extension offer. I was like ‘Alright, let’s see what’s going on,’ and then when he came back with the offer it’s like ‘Aw s–t, this is pretty rough.’ A little disappointing, to be honest…
“With them saying top priority and they’re so interested, they want you back. Showing it is a little different.”
The Red Sox likely didn’t foresee the free-agent market exploding this offseason. They ended up bumping up their offer, Bogaerts said, because they started off so low. “But once the other teams started coming in, then it became a little different,” he continued.
While the Red Sox were in it until the end, they couldn’t compete with the offers on the open market. Their reported final offer was in the range of a six-year, $160 million contract. If the Red Sox came with that final offer during last year’s spring training? Bogaerts would’ve been tempted “big time.”
“It would’ve been hard. It would’ve been a lot of talking, for sure,” Bogaerts said. “That would’ve got engaged.”
Who knows, maybe the Red Sox would have their Devers - Bogaerts left side of the infield intact for years to come if Boston ponied up earlier last year.
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